As regions of the U.S. experience record-breaking heat, it is important to know how to track the risk of heat so you can stay safe when working outdoors.
The National Weather Service offers several tools to help outdoor workers track extreme heat and other dangerous weather conditions, according to www.constructiondive.com. Weather experts recommend checking weather conditions up to 14 days in advance of working outside.
Following are tips from the National Weather Service to help you and your workers stay safe in the heat.
- Know your heat warnings. An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 to 24 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions and requires action; an excessive heat watch is issued when conditions are favorable for excessive heat during the next 24-72 hours and requires preparation; and a heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of dangerous heat conditions and requires caution.
- Understand the heat index, which describes how the temperature feels to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. It often is a better measure of heat than air temperature alone.
- The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is an experimental tool that helps monitor expected heat stress; it forecasts one to seven days ahead.
- Track the hazards outlook, which shows whether excessive heat or above-normal temperatures are predicted.
- Monitor the eight to 14 day outlook, which provides a longer forecast window for planning purposes.
- The National Weather Service’s experimental HeatRisk tool provides an overview of heat risk potential during the upcoming seven days.
